PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Right-hander James McDonald continues to impress this 2012 season, posting numbers worthy of arguably a nomination for a breakout player in the National League. Over McDonald’s last six starts, he’s whiffed 52 batters over 41.2 innings since his eight strikeout performance on April 25. During that span, McDonald leads the Majors...

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Pirates have been battling through close games for most of the 2012 season. The largest margin they have lost by was in a 12-3 contest against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 2. There have been 19 one-run games this season, which is tied with Washington for the...

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen is having a huge month of May. Even after going 0-for-3 on Sunday, McCutchen is hitting for a .396 average (21-for-53) with a double, triple, seven home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored and a .900 slugging percentage in his first 16 games this month. “I don’t know,”...

A month into the 2012 season, all eyes were on Andrew McCutchen and the fact that he had not yet gone deep for a home run. Game after game, McCutchen continued to pick up hits, doubles, swiping bases, but his lack of long ball power started to raise some concern outside the...

Right-hander Justin Verlander took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Detroit. With one out, Josh Harrison took a 1-2 breaking ball for a single into center field to break up the no-no. Verlander went on to induce two groundouts for the complete game shutout. The only two...

When the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired James McDonald from the Los Angeles Dodgers (along with prospect outfielder Andrew Lambo) for closer Octavio Dotel in 2010, the club knew that they were getting a talented arm. The righty made 11 starts with Pittsburgh that year after spending most of his Major League career with...

Left-hander Erik Bedard made his first start on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals since his scheduled start was bumped back by two days due to back spasms. The lefty allowed four runs on six hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out seven while throwing 92 pitches, 62 strikes. It...

After the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-hander A.J. Burnett during the off-season, Kevin Correia looked to be the odd man out of the rotation. Having six options, it looked as if Correia would start the season in the bullpen with the opportunity for a spot start if needed. But after Burnett’s fluke accident...

Since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on April 18, Brad Lincoln was used in relief with the Pittsburgh Pirates. And in that role, the right-hander was very good. He entered game action with just an 0.63 ERA over 14.1 innings, which is third-best in the National League among relievers. “Whatever’s in play now -–...

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- After starting the season off hot -- hitting for a .303/.321/.395 line in 76 at-bats over his first 19 games of the season, Alex Presley has since fizzled off. The left fielder spent the majority of the season batting leadoff, but was bumped to the two spot in place...